KIRKUS REVIEW

A London obituary writer is called
to the home of a reclusive artist with a mysterious agenda in Cacoyannis’ debut
novel.

James Linthwaite works for the Herald, a London tabloid
that’s gaining popularity because of his innovative, witty obituaries. He’s
become semifamous around town, but his notoriety is nothing compared with his
wife June’s. She’s the author of “posh porn” books, including a bestseller
called Susan’s Phallacy that’s flying off the shelves. Although James
and June consider her writing to be a radical feminist take on erotic fiction,
everyone else simply considers it fairly well-written smut. The Linthwaites
have a teenage son named Josh who’s just beginning to have some sexual
adventures of his own. Amid success at work and at home, James nonetheless
finds his life to be inwardly and outwardly in turmoil, as suggestions of
affairs, fears about his marriage’s longevity, and a few alcohol-poisoned
nights lead him down some seriously confused paths. Then James’ editor asks him
to go on a particularly odd assignment to meet an artist in the south of
England. A recluse named Max has invited three writers to his home, each
instructed to spend time with him and then write his 900-word obituary. The
purpose of the exercise will be revealed later, during an art event, and its
consequences will affect James and his career in numerous ways. Cacoyannis
writes in a breezy yet erudite way, with eloquent language and insight sharing
space with truly funny running jokes. James’ life is at once complicated and
complete, imperfect and scary, but somehow just as it should be. The depiction
of James and June’s marriage is particularly impressive; the author writes with
such passion about insecurities, lust, violence, and love that the characters’
faults and flaws only make them more vivid. The Linthwaites are intellectual
but not always politically correct, and they love Pedro Almodóvar films and
good wine with venison steaks. They live in a London that’s suitably fast-paced
and cutting-edge, and Cacoyannis has a firm yet humorous grasp of the
vernacular and culture of personal and professional worlds ranging from Fleet
Street to Soho and beyond. James has a kind of fame that’s fairly risky: one
daring obituary that goes too far could make the industry and the public turn
their backs on him. Indeed, all of the characters take risks, and it’s to the
author’s credit that this madcap, smart story has an introspective protagonist
whose dedication to his rebellious family is so well-imagined.

A sophisticated, comic novel that
brilliantly captures the triumph and folly of art, media, and publishing.

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